Lubricating system for thrust mechanisms



Apri 6,1926,

' T. S. MILLER LUBRICATIG SYSTEM FOR THRUST MECHANISMS Filed July '7, 1922 3' Sheets-Sheet l April 6 1926. 1,579,381

T. s. MILLER LUBRICA'IING SYSTEM FOR THRUST MECHANISMS v Filed July-'7, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l N VEN TOR.

' ATTORNEY` AM @,125 @5f/9,3m

T. S. MILLER LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR THRUST MECHANISMS Filed July '7, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 `Patented Apr. 6, 1926.

VVUNI'TED STATES '.lllOlVLAS SPENCER MILLER, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

LUBRICATING SYSTEM FOR THRUST MEOI-IANISMS.

Application filed July 7,

To all flo/7mm t 'muy concern.'

'Be it known that I, THOMAS SPENCER MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Orange, in the county of Essex and Sta-te of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lubricating Systems for Thrust Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to lubricating systemsfor mechanisms for producing pressures or thrusts, such mechanisms being used in the operation-of clutches or the like, as, for instance, in hoisting and lderrick gear.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a section on the line 1-1 of Fig.'2; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a thrust mechanism embodying my invention; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 2; Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Fig. 2 showing modifications.

Lilie reference .characters yindicate likev parts in the several views.

Referring now to the arrangement shown in 1, 2, 3V and 4, a shaft 1() is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings, one of which is shown at 11provided with a liner 12. A member 13, which may be the hub of a clutch member or similar-device, is mounted on the shaft and is movable longitudinally thereof forA the purpose, for instance, of forcing -a portion of the member into frictional engagement with anothervportion of a clutch mechanism. The specific form and purpose of the member 13 is no part of my present invention, but such vmember may be a hoisting drum `or a driven member arranged to be forced into engagement with such a drum.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 2, a thrustresisting member 14 is formed of segments held together by the screws 15, the member 14 extending into a groove 16 in the shaft 10, and also being keyed to the shaft by the key 17. Preferably, one of the faces ofthe thrust-resisting member 14 may be provided with a thrust. ring 18 held thereon by the pins 19. The ring'lS may be of a different metal from the metal of the member14, such as a hardened steel ring ground to a smooth surface. Similarly, the hub 13 may be provided with a thrust ring 20 held thereto by pins 21.v

In the arrai'igement shown in Fig. 2, the thrust `is produced by a nut and screw ar- 1922. Serial No. 573,501.

rangement 'located between the thrust-resisting member f and the clutch member 13.

Specifically, inthe form shown, this nut and screw arrangement consists of a threadedv member 22 supported on but'not connected to the shaft 10 and having a projection 23 carryingV a thrust surface contacting with the thrust surface of the member 14, which, in the specific form illustrated, is the thrust surface of the ring 13. On the threads of the threaded member 22 is a nut 24 with a face thereof in contact with the thrust face of the member 13, which, in the specific form illustrated, is the ring 20. A handle member 25 may be clamped to the periphery of the nut 24, as by the bolts 26 so as to be held in any desired relation to the nut.

lVhen the handle member 25 is turned, the nut 24 moves to the left in Fig. 2, since the threadedmember 22 is held stationary byy the pin 35. Consequently, by contact between the thrust faces of the nut 24 and of the member 13, the latter is moved to the left of Fig. 2. Similarly, when the handle is ymoved "in the opposite direction, it is desirable to draw lthe member 13 toward the bearing 11, and for this purpose an eXtension ring 27 is connected to the handle member 25, said ring extending into a groove 28y on the clutch member 13 to press against a face thereof to `move the driven member 13 to the right of Fig. 2.

It will be obvious that the various thrust surfaces, where the duty is' heavy, are moving under very considerable pressures, sov that it is necessary for successful operation that such surfaces shall be efficiently oiled. To this end, in the form illustrated in Fig. 2, I provide an oil chamber surrounding the periphery of each of the thrust surfaces, and preferablyarrange some of the moving parts so that they will act to continually carry oil or other lubricant from the bottom of these chambers up to the top, this oil then passing down through the thrust-receiving surfaces.

Specifically in the form illustrated, the oil chamber 29 is formed in the handle member 25 which, so far as the normal operation is concerned, is substantially a part of the nut 24. In the V form illustrated, the thrust ring 2O is carried beyond the periphery of the hub of the lmember 13 So that it projects into the lubricant l at the bottom of the chamber 29 and acts to carry up the oil t0 the top of the chamber. At this top preferably I provide a scraper 30 which removes the oil from the ring and directs it into a downwardly extending groove 3l across the thrust surfaces. As many of these grooves maybe provided as desired.

bnnilarly, at the opposite end of the thrust-producing means I provide an oil chamber 32 which is formed an extension of the projection 23 of the threaded member 22, the inner wall 33 thereof heilig carried in toward the shaft, as shown in Fig. 2, and preferably the inner end is embedded in a felt packing or the like to make a closed chamber, this packing being held in the end of the bearing 1l An arm 3l engaging a fixed pin 35 holds the threaded member 22 and the parts connected therewith from rotation. The oil chamber 32 is formed in such a way that the thrust-resisting member 14 projects into the oil in such chamber, this oil being carried up by the rotation of the member 14C and being removed by a scraper or scrapers 36 which carry the oil to a groove or grooves 3T in the thrust surfaces. One or more of these grooves 3T may be continued into a longitudinal groove 38 along the shaft l0 so as to lubricate the internal surface of the threaded member 22.

)il fed from the usual oil cups on the bearing ll and passing out through the inner end of this bearing, as usual, will be received in the arrangement shown in i* ig. 2 in the oil chamber 32 so as to replenish the same. Similarly, if by any chance, the bearing ll should tend to become dry, then oil from the chamber 32 will find its way from the member 14 to the portion of the shaft in the bearing 1l. In the form illustrated and as best shown in Fig. 3, I provide a. movable cover 38 hinged at 38 on the extension 23 of the threaded member 22. By opening this cover. access may be had to the thrust-resisting member la. This cover is provided with an oil shield 39 to prevent the oil passing` out through the crack between the cover 38 and the extension 23.

As a further means for lubricating the thrust surfaces, I may provide the nut 24- with one or more oil pockets or chambers 4 0, each provided with a filling opening and each having an opening through its walls to -the thrust faces of the nut, this opening preferably being filled with a wicking, such as shown at -ll to conduct the oil from the chamber l0 by capillary attraction to the thrust faces inside its periphery. Preferably, only one of such openings with its wickingwill be provided for each chamber, but where a plurality of chambers are used. the openings may be suitably spaced to lubricate substantially the entire thrust surfaces.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, the shaft is supported in a bearing 46 and is provided with a thrust-receiving member 4T attached to the shaft et by a key and groove in the manner shown in Fig. 2, the member fr? having a thrust ring 48. The clutch member ett), loosely mounted on the shaft 45, is shown as a hoisting drum which is movable longitudinally of the shaft eti?. The thrust-producing means, as previously described, comprises a threaded member 5() provided with an extension 5l having a thrust suri'ace in contact with the thrust ring L18 and a nut 52 having a thrust sur- Iface in contact with a thrust ringl :33 on the member i9. rlhe nut is rotated by a handie member 54 clamped adjustably there to and provided with an extension engaging a flange 5G formed on the member 19.

In this embodiment of my invention, an oil chamber 5T formed in the member 49 surI rounds the periphery of the thrust surface and this thrust surface is also lubricated by oil from a chamber 58 in the member 19, this oil being carried by wicking 59 to one or more openings in the thrust ring 53 with the vwicking in contact with the opposite thrust surface. Grooves GO may be provided across the face of the nut to conduct the lubricant across the entire thrust face. The chamber 5T is sealed by a ring ot packing (il which may be felt.

it the opposite end ot the tlnust-producing means in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the oil chamber (32 is `t'ormed as a part of the bearing 'i6 with the cover (513 over an opening through which oil may be supplied and vith scrapers (Selto remove the oil from the member et? as it is carried up Vtrom the bottom of the chamber G2 to deliver it into grooves 63 extending across the face ot the thrust surface of the threaded member 50. If desired, one or more of the grooves (35 may be continued into longitudinal grooves 6G to carry oil beneath the threaded member :30.

As is the case with the construction in Fig. 2, the lubricant 'trom the bearing 46 will pass into the. chamber (32 and this is true not only o the lubricant finding its way from the inner end nl' the bearing, but also of the lubricant trom the outer end oi' the bearing. such lubricant being caught in a channel (3T and conducted through a channel to the chamber G2.

ieferring non' to the arrangement shown in Fig. t), the shaft TO is carried in a bearing 7l, the shaft being provided with a plurality oi rings T2 integral therewith. these rings extending between rings I oi' the bearing Tl and being separateril theretroni by a friction-reducing metal such as Babbitt metal formed as shown at T4. 'lhe rings T2, the rings "Q and the Babbitt metal form a thrust bearing. the surfaces being lubricated by oil ducts T5 from the oil reservoir TG.

The clutch member 77 has a hub carrylio lib)

ing a thrust ring' 78 in the manner heretofore'described, this thrust ring contacting.' with the thrust face of a nut 7 9 mounted .the threads of the threaded member 80. The

nut 79 is provided with an oil chamber 88 surrounding the thrust surfaces.

In the form just described, the rotation of the `nut 79 moves the latter to the left of Fig. G and correspondingly forces the member 77 in the same direction. The reaction tends to move the threaded member 80 to the right of Fig.y 6 and since this member is in contact with 'the face of the Vbearing 7l, the thrust is transmitted through the babbitted surfaces to the thrust rings 72 on the shaft.

It will be understood that the arrangements which I have described are merely Villustrative and that my invention may be widely'varied in its embodiments.

. I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, a bearing, a shaft rotatably supported therein, a clutch member on said shaft and movable longitudinally thereof, thrust-producingy means between the bearing and said clutch member comprising relativelymovable parts and means whereby they m'ayl be moved relatively to force the clutch member away from the bearing, a thrust-resisting member adjacent the bearing and connected to the shaft to prevent longitudinal motion of said member relative to said shaft, said thrust-producing means having a thrust surface at either end and one of said thrust surfaces contacting with a surface of said clutch member and the other of said sur-' faces contacting with the thrust surface of said thrust-resisting member, a lubricant chamber surrounding at least one of the thrust 'surfaces on the thrust-producing means, with some of the rotating parts adjacent said surface arranged to carry lubricant, by their rotation, from the chamber tofsaid thrust surface, and means, including a lubricant reservoir and wicking from the reservoir to said thrust surface, to supply lubricant to said thrust surface insi'deits periphery.

Q. vIn a device of the class described, a bearing, a shaft rotatably supported therein. `a clutch member on said shaft and movablev longitudinally thereof, thrust-'producing` means between the bearing and said clutch member comprising relatively movable parts and means whereby they may be moved relatively to force the clutch member away from the bearing, said parts being held against rotation with the shaft and the clutch member, a thrust-resisting mem- Y ber adjacent the bearing and connected to the shaft to prevent longitudinal motion of said member relative tov said shaft, said tlnust-producing means having a thrust surface at either end and one o-f said thrust surfaces contacting with a surface of said clutch member and the other of said surfaces contacting with the thrust surface of said thrust-resisting member, a lubricant chamber surrounding each thrust surface on said thrust-producing means with some of the rotating parts adjacent each of said surfaces arranged to carry lubricant, by their rotation, from the chamber t0 the thrust surface, and one of the parts of said thrustproducing means having a lubrican-t reservoir with an opening leading from thereservoir to the thrust surface, vand rwicking in said opening having` a portion thereof contacting with the thrust surface inside the periphery thereof.

3. In a device of the class described, a bearing, a shaft rotatably supported therein, a clutch member on said shaft and movable longitudinally thereof, thrust-producing means between the bearing and Vsaid clutch member comprising relatively movable parts and means whereby they may be moved relatively to force the clutch member away from the bearing, said parts being` held against rotation with the shaft and the clutch member', a thrust-resisting member adjacent the bearing and connected to the shaft to prevent longitudinal motionl of said member relative to said shaft, said thrust-producing means having a thrust surface at either end and one of said thrust surfaces contacting with a surfacev of said clutch member and the other of said surfaces contact-ing with the thrust surface of said thrust-resisting member, a lubricant chamber surrounding each thrust surfacev on said thrust-producing means with some ofv the rotating parts adjacent each of said` surfaces arranged to carry lubricant, by their rotation, from the chamber to the thrust surface, and one of the parts of said thrustproducing means having a lubricant reservoir with an opening leading from the reservoir to the thrust surface, and wicking in said openingl having a portion thereof contacting with the thrust surface inside the periphery thereof, ysaid chambers being integral with said thrust-producing means.

4. In a device of the class described, a bearing, a shaft rotatably supported therein, a clutch member on said shaft and movable longitudinally thereof, thrust-producing means between the bearing and said clutch member comprising relatively movable parts and means whereby the)Y may be moved relatively7 to torce the clutch member away from the bearing, said parts being held against rotation with the shaft and the clutch member, a thrust-resisting member adjacent the bearing and connected to the shal't to prevent longitudinal motion ot said member relative to said shaft, said thrust-prodncing means having a thrust surliace at either end and one ot said thrust surfaces contacting with a surface o'' .said clutch member and the other o'lt said surl'aces contactingl with the thrust surface o'l: said tlirust-rtasisting member, a lubricant. chamber surrounding each thrust surtace on said thrust-prodncing means with some ot the rotating parts adjacent each ot said surfaces arrang l to carry lubricant, b v their rotation, 'trom the chamber to the thrust surface, and one ot the parts ot said tlirust-iLn-oducing means having a lubricant reservoir with an opening leading from the reservoir to the thrust surtace, and wickingin said opening haring a portion thereof contacting with the thrust. snr- 'tace inside the peripheryY there-oli. said chambers heilig integral with said thrust-producing means, the, chan'iber surrtnmding the thrust surface adjacent the tln'ust-resisting member having an operable portion, whereby access may be had to theI thrust-resisting member.

In a device ol.E the class described, a bearing, a shatt rotatabli7 supported therein, a clutch member on said shalt and movable longitudinallvY thereot, a tln'ust-resisting member rotating with the shaft and connected thereto to prevent longitudinal motion ot said member relative to said shaft, a threaded member on the shatt and held against rotation therewith, a nnt on the threaded n'iember provided with means by which the nut may be partiiall7 rotated, the threaded member having a tace contacting with a :tace otl the thrust-resisting member and the nut havingl a 'tace contacting with a face of said clutch member, said nut and threaded member being arranged to push the clutch member trom the bearing when the nut is partially rotated, and means 'tor lubricating the thrust surfaces, comprising a lubricant chamber connected to the nut and surrounding the periphery olf the tace ot the nut contacting with the clutch member and a lubricant chamber connected to the threaded member and surrounding the periph-"iw7 ot the tace otl the threaded member contacting with the tlnust-resisting member, a portion of the clutch member and a portion ot' the thrust-resisting member extending into their respective lubricant chambers to carry lubricant, by their rotation, to the thrust-resisting surfaces. y

(i. In a device of the class described` a bearing, a shaft rotatably supported therein,

a clutch member on said shattand movable longitudinally thereof, a thrust-resisting member rotating with the shatt and connected thereto to prevent longitudinal motion oll said member relative to said shatt, a threaded member on the sha'lt and held against rotation therewith, a nut on the threaded member provided with means b v which the nut maj; be partially rotated, the threaded member haring a tare contacting with a tace ot the thrust-resisting member and the nut having a ,tace contacting with a 'tace ot' said clutch member, said nut and threaded nicmber being rranged to push the clutch memher vl'rom the bearing when the nut is partiall)7 rotated, and means t'or lubricating the thrust surfaces, comprising a lubricant chamber connected to the nut and surrounding the peripher)v ot tl e tace ol' thc nut contacting with the clutch member and a lubricant chamber connected to the threaded member and surroumling the periphery ot the tace ot the threaded member contacting with the tluust-resif-:ting member, a portion ot the clutch member and a portion ot' the thrust-resisting member extending into their respective lubricant chambers to cai-r)Y lubricant, by their rotation, to the thrust-resisting surfaces, and said nut having a lubricant chamber therein and wicking leading At'rom said chamber to the tace oi the nut contacting with the clutch member and within the peripheryY thereof.

7. ln a device ot' the class described, a hearing, a shai't rotatably supported therein, a clutch member on said shalt and movable longitudinall);v thereol, a thrust-resisting member rotating with the shaft and connected thereto to prevent longitudinal motion ot said member relative to said shatt, a threaded member on the sha tt and held against rotation therewith, a nut on the threaded member provided with means by which the nut may be partially rotated, the threaded member having a lace contacting with a tace ot the thrust-resisting member and the nut having a 'l'ace contacting with a tace ol! said clutch member, said nut and threaded member beingarranged to push the clutch member trom the hearing when the nut partially rotated, and means 'tor lubricating the thrust snrl'aces, con'iprising a lubricant chamber connected to the nut and surrounding the peripheryv ot the tace ot the nut contacting with the clutch member and a lubricant chamber connected to the threaded member and sinrounding` the peripher)v of the tace the threaded member contacting with the thrust-resisting member, a portion of the clutch member and a portion oi the thrust-resisting member extending into then' respective lubricant chambers to carry lubricant, by their rotation, to the tlnust-resisting surfaces, the chamber surtoo ltlfi llt) rounding the periphery of the face of the threaded member being adapted to receive lubricant escapingl from the adjacent shaft bearing.

8. In a device of the class described, a bearing, a shaft rotatably supported therein, 4a clutch member on said shaft and movable longitudinally thereof, a thrust-resisting member rotating with the shaft and connected thereto to prevent longitudinal lotion of said member relative to said shaft, a threaded member on the shaft and held against rotation therewith, a nut on the threaded member provided with means by which the nut may be partially rotated, the threaded member having a face contacting with a face of the thrust-resisting member and the nut having a face contacting with a face of said clutch member, said nut and threadedmember being arranged to push the clutch member from the bearing When the nut is partially rotated, and means for lubricating the thrust surfaces, comprising a lubricant chamber connected to the nut and surrounding the periphery of the face of the nut contacting with the clutch member and a lubricant chamber connected to the threaded member and siurounding the periphery of the face of the threaded member contacting with the thrust-resisting member, a portion of the clutch member and a portion of the thrustresisting member extending into their respective lubricant chambers to carry lubricant, by their rotation, to the thrust-resisting surfaces, the chamber surrounding the periphery of the face of the threaded member extending over the thrust-receiving member and having an operable cover,

whereby access may be had to the thrustreceiving member.

9. In a device of the class described, a bearing, a horizontal shaft rotatably supported therein, a clutch member on sald shaft and movable longitudinally thereof, a thrust-resisting member rotating` With the shaft and connected thereto to prevent longitudinal motion of said member relative to said shaft, a threaded member on the shaft and held against rotation therewith, a nut on the threaded member provided With means by which the nut may be partially rotated, the threaded member having a face contacting with a face of the thrust-resisting member and the nut having a face contacting With a face of said clutch member, said nut and threaded member being arranged to push the clutch member from the bearing When the nut isv partially rotated, and means for lubricatingthe thrust surfaces, comprising a lubricant chamber connected to the nut and surrounding the periphery of the face 0f the nut contacting with the clutch member and a lubricant chamber connected to the threaded member and surrounding the periphery of the face of the threaded member contacting v With the thrust-resisting member, a portion of the clutch member and a portion of the thrust-resisting member extending into their respective lubricant chambers, and said chambers being provided at the top With scrapers arranged to Vremove the lubricantV carried up by said parts and to lead it to the upper part of said contacting faces to lubricate the same.

THOMAS srENoER MILLER. 

